The Oklahoma History Center is offering a free performance by nationally renowned interpretive staff from Colonial Williamsburg and George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens. The interpreters will portray First Lady Martha Washington and Dr. James Craik, George Washington's friend and physician. The actors will remember the life and times of George Washington through the eyes of these historical characters.

"These outstanding historical interpreters from two of the nation's best-known museums will provide a unique and personal side of George Washington that many may not be familiar with," said Jason Harris, director of education at the Oklahoma History Center.  "With Presidents' Day just weeks away, this is the perfect time to explore the life of George Washington."

The performance, "Remembering George Washington," will take place Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact education@okhistory.org or call 405-522-3602. The performance is sponsored by SONIC, America's Drive-In, and is made possible through partnerships with Colonial Williamsburg, George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens and the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, with a mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the complete history of Oklahoma for everyone. The OHC adheres to the highest standards of collections care,

presents diverse in-house and traveling exhibits, and provides multidisciplinary educational programs.

On Sunday, February 9, the Oklahoma History Center will host a special opening of the newly renovated Kerr-McGee Gallery for OHS members from 2 to 4 p.m. The gallery features new expanded exhibits with major updates and all new content and artifacts. Included are exhibits on the steamboat Heroine, the African American experience in Oklahoma, Oklahoma military history, and the oil and gas industry.

On May 6, 1838, a steamboat called Heroine was traveling up the Red River to deliver supplies to Fort Towson in what is now Choctaw County in southeast Oklahoma when it struck a submerged log and sank. Pieces of the ship and some of its contents have been collected and are now on display, 175 years later. Interactive touchscreens, hands-on elements, reconstructed machinery, and excavated artifacts tell the story of the earliest steamboat to be recovered and studied by archaeologists. Visitors will not only get a glimpse of life during this formative period in US history, but also will experience the mystery of the Heroine and how its story was brought to light through archaeological evidence and historical research.

The African American experience is a unique story in Oklahoma. This recently updated exhibit, Realizing the Dream, highlights twelve aspects of this story and features information about extraordinary individuals and presents artifacts representative of the people, places, and events. Several places significant to African American history in Oklahoma have been recreated for visitors to gain insight into spaces occupied by community and Civil Rights movement leaders, such as Richard Lewis's barbershop and Clara Luper's living room.

Power to Grow: The History of Oil and Gas in Oklahoma focuses on the history of the industry in the state from World War II to the present. This era has featured dramatic technological advances, bold innovations, and dynamic individuals and companies willing to take risks. Major aspects of the industry, such as finding, producing, refining and processing, transporting, and distribution, are featured. The histories of important companies, industry leaders, and the people who perform a wide range of jobs are told. The exhibit also highlights the remarkable legacy of the industry, including jobs, tax revenues, philanthropy, and landmarks.

The military exhibit illustrates the US armed forces from the 1830s to the present, the history of non-commissioned officers, and how some military weapons work. Also included are accurate replicas of Civil War-era artillery ammunition crates and artifacts relating to artillery. Two portions are devoted to Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell and the capture of Saddam Hussein. More changes are planned for this exhibit, such as a World War I interactive that will include a replica trench and hands-on items that will demonstrate the loading and firing procedure for flintlock and Civil War-era muskets.

The opening on February 9 is a special event for OHS members only. To inquire about memberships, contact the OHS Membership Office at (405) 522-5242 or ohsmembers@okhistory.org.

The Chisholm Trail Museum is proud to announce a unique and nostalgic exhibit on display at the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, located at 605 Zellers Avenue. "T. G.&Y.: An Original Oklahoma Icon" is now open to the public, and will close on Saturday, April 12, 2014. This exhibit showcases the Chisholm Trail Museum and the once-largest Oklahoma retail chain store, T.G.&Y.

Through photographs and artifacts, the exhibit reveals how a small town variety store in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, owned and operated by Raymond  A. Young during the late 1920s, navigated through the trying years of the Great Depression and World War II, emerging as one of the most successful variety chain stores in the nation. It was the first Oklahoma-based store to reach more than $1 billion in sales with more than 900 stores across the United States by the end of the 20th century.

The exhibit features items and artifacts from the T.G.&.Y. era, including personal items on loan from the original T.G.&.Y. store in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Also on display are artifacts loaned from the family of Les Gosselin, who was one of the co-owners of T.G.&.Y., as well as original documents and other artifacts from Young, who started his first store in Kingfisher, Oklahoma.

Admission to the museum is $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children and seniors.

For more information about the Chisholm Trail Museum and to follow upcoming events and programs, please visit www.ctokmuseum.org.